SCHOFIELD BARRACKS — Future unit training, brigade-sponsored events, and Soldiers’ and families’ concerns were the main topics of discussion at the Sgt. Smith Theater, Nov. 22, here, during the first family readiness group town hall meeting conducted by Col. Jeffrey Milhorn, commander, 130th Engineer Brigade, 8th Theater Sustainment Command, since taking over as brigade commander.

“I want to know what’s on your mind since we are the people who live, work and play around Schofield Barracks,” Milhorn said, in his opening remarks. “I think these town hall open forums will be a great way for us to communicate across the brigade and the community.”

Throughout the meeting, Milhorn and Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Ward, command sergeant major, 130th Eng. Bde., recognized the accomplishments of brigade staff and the FRG. They also thanked families and volunteers for their continuous contributions to the unit.

Milhorn said the FRG town hall was an opportunity to address specific concerns to enhance the services and programs offered in Hawaii. Representatives were on hand from U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii’s Child, Youth and School Services; the Army and Air Force Exchange Service; USAG-HI’s Juvenile Review Board, Army Community Service, Financial Readiness, Employment Readiness, Mobilization and Deployment, and Army Substance Abuse Program; from Tricare; and the brigade’s Unit Ministry Team.

Each agency representative provided informational presentations and answered questions from the audience. Randy Souza, resident service coordinator for Schofield Barracks Housing, received the majority of the attendees’ requests for information regarding on-post housing.

Command Sgt. Maj. Darryl Jannone, command sergeant major, U.S. Army Garrison-Oahu, briefed JRB procedures, which impose administrative actions for cases of juvenile misconduct. He also provided attendees with contact information for proper storage of abandoned vehicles while on post.

“This is a good event for the unit and the Schofield Barracks community. I recommend more brigades to take an initiative and conduct brigade-sponsored town hall meetings,” Jannone said.

Door prizes were raffled off, including Pro Bowl tickets and two, one-night stays at the Turtle Bay Resort. The raffle brought much excitement to the crowd and gave attendees holding tickets motivation and incentive to participate in the meeting.

Milhorn said he plans to make the FRG town hall forum a quarterly event, and he looks forward to addressing future concerns and receiving suggestions.